Churchill VII Bridge Layer with Mk3 bridge

[Snowwolflair]

Early days but based on Ludwig's hull I am working on the CAD for the bridge and laying mechanism.

[43rdRecceReg]

We had a winner here, a few years back, in the Tank of the Month competition: a Churchill bridge Layer. Here's the link:
viewtopic.php?f=210&t=26823&p=255976&hi ... ll#p255976
Projects benefit from lots of bits of usable information.

This will be quite a challenge, and certainly, one worth following

phpBB [video]

[Snowwolflair]

Yes I am familiar with the model and understanding how it was done, where it relied on tipping points and balance to work, has led me to devise a better solution based on the real tank system. The model in the video is also of a Churchill MkIV with a Mk2 bridge and I am building a Churchill MkVII with a Mk3 bridge which is longer, wider and heavier. The real tank has a pair of lock sets one mounted on the bow armour and others built into the top pivots. I plan to replicate the lower lock with a servo and to use neodymium magnets on the upper pivot point. In this way I will get better stability and be able to lay the bridge even if the tank is not level which will be more prototypical.

[Snowwolflair]

Prototype parts arrived from Ludwig yesterday and they accurately match my CAD so went together very easily. The bracing test parts in 4mm plastic work well and will now be cut in metal for strength.

[Snowwolflair]

Good progress towards confirming functionality and strength.

[Snowwolflair]

Assembled and working. It still needs the bottom lock fitted and once this is done I will complete the detail.

phpBB [video]

[tankme]

Very cool. Is it strong enough for a tank to travel over it? Looks like it would be with all the crossmember supports.

[Snowwolflair]

Yes, it is a box girder structure so supporting the weight of an all metal tank is not a problem.

The Churchill tank is from Ludwig and the bridge and layer mechanism will be available from him as well.

It uses a 150mm linear actuator available from Aliexpress and there will also be a servo driven locking pin to hold the base in the upright position. The top lock/pivot point is done with 5mm neodymium magnets.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I remember being amazed as I first saw the video of the TOTM Chruchill Bridge Layer. Now you are up to improvements!